Author: Sammie Seward

Music Venues Have been Successfully Propagating Dutch Pop Culture

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In Holland, music is very much a part of Dutch culture as every major city or middle-sized town has concert halls specifically for classical, pop or jazz music. Music venues in the Netherlands have been instrumental in successfully propagating Dutch pop culture in the country.

Around 50 of the large music venues get their funding from the federal government, as approved by the Muziek Centrum Nederland.There are independent music venues as well, but they obtain funding through the help of community theaters and different cultural centers. Partners or collaborators facilitate a musical event by acting as sponsors of stage productions.

The ten biggest, music-dedicated venues in the country are AFAS Live, Effenaar in Eindhoven, Doornroosje in Nijmegen.Melkweg, Patronaat in Haarlem, Paradiso in Amsterdam, Paard van Troje in The Hague, Tivoli in Utrecht and Ziggo Dome.

Glimpses of Pop Culture Concert Venues in North Holland

In North Holland in Haarlemmermeer, two of the most popular music venues are The Patronaat in Harleem City and the Poppodium Duycker in the town of Hoofddorp.

The Patronaat

The Patronaat for one, is a lot more than just a staging facility because it fulfills several roles in the development of talent and propagation of Dutch pop culture. Although Patronaat was originally a music theater for a Catholic boys’ school, it has evolved and grown into a core stage with 300 club members. Since 1984, the venue has facilitated hundreds of activities attended by about 130,000 visitors every year.

To date, it’s still looking for new faces and fresh talents with innovative ideas and knowledge in enhancing and boosting their  music productions and programmes. This Dutch theater in Haarlem has dozens of collaboration partners, particularly those who find the city’s pop culture appealing.

Poppodium Duycker

Poppodium Duycker is the most popular stage for Dutch pop culture in Hoofddorp. Actually, Hoofddrop is a reclaimed area, founded in 1853 as the main town of Haarlemmermeer after the lake was drained to accommodate the expansion projects of North Holland.

Proof that Dutch pop music has come of age in North Holland is that in Hoofddorp alone, Poppodium Duycker organizes as many as 200 events yearly. Initiated as a project by The Duycker Foundation in 2010, the concert hall doors opened in 2011 and since then has held festivals, live concerts, open stages, dance parties, jam sessions and café concerts.

The Duycker music venue has two concert halls. One is large enough to play host to as many as 750 visitors, while the other is smaller and can accommodate 250 guests. However, since Hoofddorp is a vintage polder town, visitors should choose their lodging houses well for proper heating and plumbing systems.

  1. Nevertheless, faulty heating and plumbing systems in this old Dutch town is not a problem situation because a certified loodgieter Hoofddorp professional can be called upon any time of day (24/7).

Jon Batiste Soared in 2022 Grammy; Won 5 Awards Out of 11 Nominations

Sammie Seward Music Artists , , , , ,

Jon Batiste, the ebuilient singer, songwriter and pianist many know as the musical director of CBS’ “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” won 5 2022 Grammy awards. Being the most nominated artist of the occasion for having garnered 11 nominations, Batiste won the Album of the Year for “We Are,” Record of the Year for “Freedom,” Best American Roots Performance for “Cry,” Best American Root Spng for “Cry” and
Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media (together with Carlos Rafael Rivera) for “The Queen’s Gambit.”

Belonging to the esteemed Batiste clan of musicians in New Orleans, Jon also holds the record of being the second Black artist to win an Album of the Year Award. Herbie Hancock was the first, having won the same award in 2008 for his album “River: The Joni Letters.”

Batiste’s “We Are” bested albums of heavyweight nominees led by Billie Eilish, Tony Bennett/Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift and Kanye West.The other big winners of the 64th Grammy Awards include Silk Sonic, whose hit soul “Leave the Door Open” won the Best Song and Best Record of the Year. Olivia Rodrigo won Best New Artist of the Year, while also claiming the trophy for the Best Pop Vocal Album for “Sour.” Kanye West won Best Rap Song for “Jail” and Best Melodic Rap performance for “Hurricane.”

Why Digital Marketing and SEO is Important for Music Video Creators and Streamers

Sammie Seward Music Artists , , ,

Creative opportunities and digital innovations abound when it comes to promoting one’s music in today’s largely patronized yet competitive music market. Video and music streaming is playing a huge and significant role in the current music industry as it increased the digital space in which new artists compete to attract their target audience. Digital marketing and SEO strategies should be utilized by music video creators and streamers.

How Digital Marketing and SEO can Boost the Popularity of Music Videos

Compared to conventional content, digital marketing content can be updated, edited, and reposted in various forms so that they can suit varying audiences and situations. Digital marketing in social media platforms greatly help with fan engagement which can boost artists’ fan base. Not only can they provide endless comments and suggestions, individuals can also share their favorite tracks to their followers.

https://youtu.be/_tZVGuMDZro

Find and Use the Relevant Keywords

It is essential to know the right keywords for the type of content you are sharing with your audience as your music categories respond tp varying emotions, moments, and occasions. For instance, some of your music are perfect for relaxation, festivities and certain mood. The streaming site needs to know this so that they can match it to their users’ preferences.

Key Digital Marketing Opportunities for New Music Artists

YouTube

Independent musicians can gain a lot from advertising on YouTube, the obvious reason is its its ranking as the second most engaged online site, next to Google. Moreover, YouTube’s Music streaming platform is accessed by a broad demographics of viewers with ages ranging from 18 to 35 , which is more than any TV or radio network can muster.

Spotify

Since the creation of Spotify in 2008, it quickly became a huge place for popular and new artists to promote both their music and podcasts. Global statistics say that this streaming platform has a monthly average of 286 million active users, while over 130 million subscribers in 92 international markets stream the more than 50 million songs carried by the platform.

Amazon Music

Similar to Spotify, Amazon Music Unlimited is a music streaming service that allows their users to listen to their music online or offline for a small price every month. As of January 2020, this music streaming channel caters to more than 55 million users in different parts of the globe.

Facebook

A few months after social media platform Facebook added a ‘Music’ tab alongside the ‘Watch’ menu in August 2020, Billboard announced it will consider using data from the channel in its chart calculations. It was an important development since landing at the top of Billboard’s charts can significantly boost the popularity of new artists

Tik Tok

When it comes to promoting music, Tik Tok dominates as the social media platform in terms of music sharing that helps new artists to reach their audience. TikTok lets users create various contents that revolves around audio to attract followers, which at the same time increases the exposure of new music content to music lovers worldwide particularly among members of the Gen Z population.

While these are key opportunities, they do not guarantee instant success. Like any other digital marketing efforts, there are factors and SEO strategies that can enhance the visibility of a music video to the millions of music fans using amy of these streaming channels. However, what most SEO professionals suggest is to first target the community of muslic lovers in your region.

Let’s say you’re a country singer from Arizona, a provider of SEO services would know how to work toward boosting the popularity of your country songs in the state or regions where country music is central to music preferences. Geo-location targeting is the first important to reaching the right audience, which denotes it would be best to collaborate with a digital marketer who knows a lot about the targeted geographical location and its consumers.

How Music Streaming Changed the Way We Listen to Music

Sammie Seward Music , , ,

Music streaming sites have changed the way we listen to music by making every music widely and economically available anywhere through digital technology. Music after all is universally appreciated but was largely exploited by the music-making industry much to the detriment of music lovers. Today, people can listen to nearly all types of music as their choices are no longer limited to the selections being promoted by record companies and broadcasters.

Actually, music streaming disrupted the businesses of record manufacturers as we can now listen to quality music anytime and anywhere. Streaming sites offer broad selections for different music genres, whilst allowing music lovers create their own playlists at no costs.

Moreover, music streaming platforms make it easier for users to search for their personal favorites when looking to create their playsuit. Based on results of machine learning analysis, streaming customers receive recommendations of old and new selections. Doing so allows platform users to discover selections from new artists, coming from all kinds of genres.

That being the case, new music artists also benefit from streaming platforms. Their musical compositions have increased chances of gaining positive exposure when recommended by the streaming site to their target audience.

Cons of Music Streaming Platforms

A drawback as far as listening to streamed music is concerned, is that platform users do not own hard copies that they can show as their music collection. Anyway, there are still producers of CDs and vinyl records, allowing those that consider it important to collect records of their favorite iconic music artists.

Although platform users can download their favorite music in their device, this option is available only to premium customers who pay monthly subscriptions. Downloading allows subscribers to create a playlist that they can access without need to login to the music streaming site, especially if Internet connectivity is not available.

Listening to Streamed Music at Zero Costs

While music streaming services is available at zero costs, freemium users have to listen to the advertisement of companies sponsoring the streamed music. As they say, “beggars can’t be choosers,” so they can’t complain about ads interrupting their listening pleasure.

Actually, there’s another alternative for freemium users; by using an app that allows them to access streaming sites at absolutely no cost. Although one still has to be careful when choosing to use this kind of app as it might also be capable of accessing sensitive data stored in your device.
Anyway checkout this new rokkr app that presents itself as a better alternative as it gives assurance about data security. Actually, rokkr app offers a bundle of content streaming services free of charge and of advertisements.

Although the app does not have curated lists of music, movies, games and other content that they can stream, it allows users to browse from bundles installed separately from the streaming feature. A rokkr download for the app is not available at the Google Play Store and will require modification in your device setting. Moreover, after installing the rokkr app, you also need to install a MediaURL.

Lin Manuel Miranda Debuts as Musical Film Director with Tick, tick… Boom!

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Last November, Lin Manuel Miranda debuted as a musical film director with the feature-length movie entitled “Tick, tick .., BOOM!” starring Andrew Garfield Garfield stars as playwright Jonathan Larson who is known for being the creator of Broadway’s award-winning hit “Rent”.

Jonathan Larson was a struggling playwright, aspiring to enter  show business with a futuristic rock opera sound in mind. While Larson’s character stumbles on the tortured artist trope, Garfield’s acting shows sincerity, which prevents clichés from happening.

Why the Title “Tick, Tick Boom!” Title

In the first half of the film, the chronology can be a bit perplexing because of the unique film structure. The movie was presented with songs performed from Miranda’s musical, as Jonathan  Larson was producing songs for his own musical. The confusing chronology  later clears out to divulge a borderline-manic songwriter stressed out at the thought of his upcoming birthday, without realizing his dream of becoming another Stephen Sondheim.

The constant ticking in the background makes the aspects and the title of the film very clear. Larson constantly feels pressured by time and the idea of growing older but still far from achieving  success.  C0ncerned that his time is running out,  he repeatedly mentions how Stephen Sondheim  created his own Broadway show before turning 30.

Another aspect of time in the film that tackles a more serious topic concerns Freddy (played by Ben Levi Ross), his friend from work, who gets hospitalized because of HIV. Later on in the movie, when Jonathan eventually pieces everything together for his musical, his best friend Michael (Robin de Jesús) discloses that he too is also HIV-positive. Furthermore, his problems revolving around the completion of his musical had put a strain to his relationships. Including with his dancer girlfriend Susan (Alexandra Shipp) and his best friend Michael.

Andrew Garfield has already proven himself as a great actor for such genres, but this time, the film allows him to showcase his skills in singing. Not only did Garfield properly conveyed emotions through his singing, his tonal quality was simply amazing. It is very obvious that the actor trained himself intensely in preparing for this role.

Waterloo Researchers Create LyricJam, an AI-Supported Tool for Writing Song Lyrics

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University of Waterloo researchers developed a technology WITH A real-time system of providing inspiration to music artists when in the process of songwriting. Called LyricJam, the program utilizes artificial intelligence (AI) in producing lyrics for live instrumental music. The development of LyricJam was led by a Waterloo Engineering professor and members of the university’s Natural Language Processing Lab.

The lab researchers have been studying artificial intelligence for years in their application for creative works. The research led to the invention of a system that observes artists’ style and musical expressions, whilst having the capability to creates lyrics based on AI observations.

The lyric-producing system relies on different aspects of music, such as tempo, instrumentation, and chord progression. The lyrics are then synthesized as a means of mirroring emotions and mood conveyed by the live music.

Thereafter, Professor Olga Vechtomova, of the Waterloo Engineering Dept. with a cross-appointment in Computer Science, along with Waterloo graduate students Dhruv Kumar and Gaurav Sahu were able to develop LyricJam.

How Does LyricJam Work?

The system constantly receives raw audio clips while the artist/s play their sample of instrumental music. The AI’s neural network processes all musical information in creating lyric lines. An artists can then utilize the lyrics provided by LyricJam or simply take inspiration from it.

The AI’s neural network is designed to learn the words, stylistic devices, and lyrical themes that are correlated to various details of music.

How Professional Musicians are
Responding to LyricJam

During a user study held by the research team, participants were inspired to improvise on the lyrics generated by by LyricJam. Some professional artists also changed a few chords and took a new creative direction than what was originally planned. Some others based their lyrics on the AI-suggested lines using improvisations that really went on the same direction suggested by the AI.

The overall view gathered from musicians is that the co-creative aspect of the experience, made them perceive LyricJam as an uncritical jamming partner. As such, they were encouraged to continue playing the instruments even if they were not into writing lyrics.

More than 1,500 users have tried LyricJam since it was released and made accessible in June, at https://lyricjam.ai . Moreover, the Waterloo Research will be presented next month at the International Conference on Computations Creativity.

Potential Unethical Issues about Spotify’s Discover Draw Congress’ Attention

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Although Spotify offers perfect streaming services for music consumers, it’s a risky platform for artists seeking financial success in the music industry. Spotify charges fees to artists who want their songs streamed frequently, which denotes the AI running the most popular selections also takes into account the monetary conditions and not necessarily the most popular songs requested or selected by music consumers. As a result, Spotify’s business practices as a music streaming business has drawn the attention of some Congressional members.

No less than the Chairman of the U.S. House of Representatives’ Judiciary Committee, Rep. Jerry Nadler has sent a letter to Spotify, asking the media service provider to give enlightenment to its “Discover” as it seemingly reduces genuine interest and attention in exchange for monetary considerations.

Obviously, its an unfair practice similar to the method used by radio stations that gained lucrative sponsorship deals from record companies by frequently playing and promoting the records of their artists over the airwaves. Called the “payola” system, it was a discreet agreement that became a large-scale scandal, which brought down the careers of many disc jockeys.

Since it became the subject of hearings, the music industry took action to stop the practice. After all, exposure is critical if an artist wants to make it big in the industry, even today where radio stations have been replaced by streaming service providers like Spotify.

Is Spotify’s Latest Feature a Modified Version of the “Payola” System

Spotify’s Discovery program was initially launched late 2020, giving the chance for labels and artists to revamp their soundtrack’s rankings in the platform’s algorithms. However, a small portion of the fees collected are paid as royalties to artists as monetization of the increasing attention from users of .Spotify’s Discovery playlists.

In Spotify’s defense, this feature simply gives a prospect for artists on whether they want to make money with their music or have a large audience to hear their songs. Nadler and his colleague however, asked a sensible question, on how far does the Discovery mode spurs artists would go to pay money in order to gain an edge against competitors.

The letter was addressed and sent this week to Spotify founder, Daniel Ek who was given has given him until June 16 to answer Nadler and his committee’s questions. Particularly about how the success of the program will be measured, and the royalty rates that apply, What alternatives are available to artist in the event that the royalties they receive are less than the amount the pay as fee.

However, since Spotify is a Swedish company, Rep. Nadler’s missive could be ignored but may also be taken as a warning that members of the U.S. Congress are still actively analyzing how the Internet affects every industry.

Beyonce Tops List of Female Artists Who Dominated the 63rd Grammy Awards

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Female music artists dominated the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards, as many of the major awards went to popular and rising female music icons, led by Beyonce. The former lead singer of the famous R&B group Destiny’s Child has now broken the record for having the most number of Grammy wins. After winning the Best R&B Performance for “Black Parade” Beyonce achieved her 28th Grammy award, besting Allison Krauss’ record for most Grammy wins.

Singer-songwriter Jhené Aiko was tasked to announce the winners during the premiere ceremony, while the main music event was emceed by Trevor Noah. Numerous artists led by Taylor Swift, Cardi B, Megan Thee Stallion, Doja Cat, Dua Lipa and Harry Styles, provided the music performances for their Grammy-recognized creations.

The following female artists received their respective award/s during the red carpet premiere night:

  • Taylor Swift once again won her third Album of the Year for Folklore, making her the first female artist to do so for the third time and the third artist to achieve the feat for Album of the Year award.
  • The Song of the Year award went to H.E.R for writing the song “I Can’t Breathe”;
  • Megan Thee Stallion’s Savage won both Best Rap Song and Best Rap Performance, making her the first woman rapper to receive an award this century;
  • Billie Eilish along with her brother Finneas Baird O’Connell won Best Song Written for Visual Media as well as Record of the Year for “No Time to Die.”
  • Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande won Best Pop duo/Group Performance with “Rain on Me”;
  • Dua Lipa won Best Pop Vocal Album with her second studio album Future Nostalgia;
  • Fiona Apple won Best Rock Performance with “Shameika” and Best Alternative Music Album with Fetch the Bolt Cutters;
  • The Highwomen won the Best Country Song with “Crowded Table”;
  • Brittany Howard’s Stay High earned her the Best Rock Song award
  • Sara Jarosz’ World on the Ground garnered the Best Americana Album
  • Mirana Lambert won Best Country Album award with Wildcard.

Partial List of Male Artists Who Won Major Grammy Awards

While the list of other Grammy winners is quite long, male artists who won major awards include:

  • John Legend for Best R&B Album with Bigger Love;
  • Harry Styles and his Watermelon Sugar got noticed as the Best Pop Solo Performance
  • Nas for Best Rap Album with King’s Disease;
  • Kaytranada for Best Dance/Electronic Album with Bubba and Best Dance Recording with “10%” ft. Kali Uchis;
  • Body Count for Best Metal Performance with “Bum-Rush”;
  • James Taylor for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album with American Standard and;
  • The Strokes took the Best Rock Album award with The New Abnormal.

Why Many Recommend Wet Sanding for Guitar Paint Makeovers?

Sammie Seward Music Instrument , , ,

Many owners of guitars that have “seen-better-days” want to give their instrument a paint makeover, but are worried about not getting the best finishing results. The most common DIY guitar-painting suggestion they’ve come across is to wet sand the wood before applying the final lacquer coating. That way, they will be able to achieve a flat glass-like finish as opposed to a dull lacquered look.

While many have read and heard about sanding before applying paint on wood as a way to achieve smoothness, using a wet sanding process is something unfamiliar to a lot of DIYers.

What Exactly is Wet Sanding?

Wet sanding is a method of smoothing out the wood surface using a special type of sandpaper with extra-fine grit of 1000 – 2000, which can be soaked in water without losing form. They are special because the abrasive materials are attached to a film or cloth backing instead of paper.

The sturdier backing also makes the sandpaper reusable several times even when wet. Furthermore, a wet sandpaper can efficiently wash away abraded lacquer particles as it can also absorb and then rinse off the white crud produced by sanding.

Wet sanding as opposed to dry sanding requires moving in a straight line while alternating directions with each sweep. The purpose of which is to sand off any scratches created by the previous passing. Moreover, wet sanding requires only light strokes since the main purpose is to remove scratches and any hardened lacquer residue before applying the final lacquer coating; usually a week after the last clear coating. .

If performed correctly, wet sanding will leave the guitar wood material without visible scratches, creating a surface so smooth it will attain a mirror-like finish after the final lacquer coating. While wet sanding seems like a messy process, it actually isn’t because it eliminates the production of dust particles.

Are Random Orbital Sanders Usable for Wet Sanding?

The good news is that there are now random orbital sanders specifically designed for wet sanding, as well as wet sanding discs with up to 2000 grits of film-backed sandpaper, usable for both dry and wet sanding.

A random orbital sander built as a pneumatic water sander has an inlet joint to which an accompanying 1” water tubing or pipe can be attached; allowing water to flow from source to the wood surface at controlled amounts. Random orbital sanders are already ideal when looking to achieve an ultra-smooth surface before applying finishing touches. Even more so for wet sanding because the circular motion automatically changes direction when hitting an uneven or irregular surface, to avoid going over the same area repeatedly in a single direction.

Beyoncé’s BeyGOOD Foundation to Donate $500,000 to Families Facing Housing Crises

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Singer, record producer, and actress Beyoncé, announced last Wednesday that she will be donating $500,000 to be distributed to families facing housing crises. Through her BeyGOOD Foundation, this American artist has been providing lots of big help during the pandemic, in partnership with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).

Previously, Beyonce’s help also came in the form of grants given to small black-owned businesses and in supplying people with necessities such as food, water, COVID testing, and mental health support throughout the country,

As it is, millions of families are still affected by the pandemic, encountering different problems aside from getting sick. Millions have lost their jobs as the country’s overall economic condition has been going downhill. Families do not have the means to solve rental evictions and mortgage foreclosure problems, as the $300 unemployment insurance check ended last December 26. The BeyGOOD Foundation will be giving $5,000 grants to 100 individuals experiencing evictions and foreclosures during the holidays.

About the Application Process

Individuals who are interested in applying for the grant are required to submit the needed documents to the NAACP, a civil rights organization in the country that ensures the rights of African Americans. The organization has been around since 1909 in response to the injustices and violence encountered by many Black people, and has over 2,200 branches and units in the country.

The online application for the grant will be available on January 27 next year and the financial help will be given later subsequently that month. Additionally, there will also be a second round in February, which Beyoncé and her foundation will fund for qualified families who didn’t get the grant this coming January.

Neuroscientists Explore How People Synchronize Their Actions to Sounds

Sammie Seward Music, Music Theory ,

Neuroscientists recently conducted a study to explore and find out why many people can synchronize their actions and movements to sounds, while some cannot. The study sheds light on why not everyone can dance to the beat of the music; or why team functions in competitive kayaking include drummers onboard.

Neuroscience researchers from McGill University led by Professor Caroline Palmer of the Department of Psychology, conducted a study to find out how auditory perception and motor processes work hand in hand to create synchronized responses. The report was recently published by the McGill University research team in the Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience.

McGill Study Discovered Neural Markers Enabling Synchronization

According to Professor Palmer, they were able to recognize neural markers among musically inclined people in relation to beat recognition. While at first they presumed that said markers would relate to the musician’s ability to hear or create a beat, they discovered that the markers were linked with the musicians ability to synchronize their actions with the beat.

While conducting the study, Professor Palmer hypothesized that some individuals are possibly better musicians than others, because they listen differently to music or because their body responds differently to music. To support the results of their study with evidence, the research team used electroencephalography or EEGs. This denotes that electrodes were placed on the scalp of different musicians as a means of measuring their respective brain activities.

The study uncovered the relationship between the vibrations of the brain rhythms and the pulsing beat of musical rhythms, to which the auditory rhythm serves as the link or connection. Study co-authors Brian Mathias and Anna Zamm, commented that based on what was reflected on the EEGs, they unexpectedly discovered that even professional musicians sometimes manifest decreased ability to sync with complicated rhythms.

While most musicians are usually good at synchronizing with the tempo, the EEG signals were able to differentiate who are “good”, “better”, or even who can be called “super-synchronizers” Still, Professor Palmer said that it is yet to be proven if anyone can become a super-synchronizer, although it is highly feasible that people can get better at synchronizing actions or movements with beats.

 

After all, only 2-3% of the population are known to be beat-deaf, and for that matter, becoming a good drummer still depends on innate talent combined with lots of hard work. Practice as they say “makes perfect” and it remains as the most recommended approach to improving one’s skill at synchronization.

Revisiting Studies Confirming the Positive Effects of Music in Horses

Sammie Seward Music ,

Studies conducted years ago about music and its effect on horses have been validated as an effective way of relieving stress and anxiety in race horses.

The most recent research update was published by Dr. Krishna Martinson, Equine Extension Specialist and Assistant Professor in Animal Science at the University of Minnesota.

Dr. Martinson’s update delved on the study conducted by Polish researchers in 2015, which sought to investigate the practice of playing music in barns as a way of relieving stress and anxiety in race horses. Many horse owners now believe that music has a calming effect and can improve the emotional state of the animals; particularly in relation to feelings of aggression which race horses demonstrate when demanding increased cardiac activity and need for speed.

Based on the findings of the Polish researchers, Dr. Martinson opined that music should be considered as a method of helping race horses calm down, and for eliciting better responses to performance demands usually coming from race horse trainers. Dr. Martinson wrote that like humans, horses also respond to stress in different ways. Just like athletes, race horses likewise experience the positive benefits of staying in a relaxing and stress-free environment.

Academic Researchers Study the Types of Music that Have Calming Effects on Horses

Also in 2015, a separate but related study was performed by UK researchers from Hartpury College for the Centre for Performance in Equestrian Sports. The goal was to determine which music genre, Country, Classical Jazz or Rock, had the most effect on horse behavior during active and alert conditions.

The Hartpury researchers’ study involved 8 thoroughbreds ranging in ages between 8 to 10 years old. The animals were placed in stables without any humans present for 3 straight hours prior to the commencement of the music test. Presumably, to influence the emotional state of the thoroughbreds once the test was underway.

The results of the study showed that there was no statistically significant link to Country and Classical music in control environments, either in alert or relaxed state of behavior.

Nonetheless the slow tempo of Country and Classical music, appeared to have put the thoroughbreds in a more relaxed state during the test period. As opposed to Jazz and Rock music, the horses demonstrated frequency in alert behaviors. The lively tempo of Rock had the most aversive effect as it often caused frequency in alert behaviors in the animals.

In relation to Horse Racing News: Horse News, Horse Industry, News | Past the Wire has noted that the recent number of horse deaths linked to horse races, particularly in Santa Anita Park, have raised concerns of animal activists belonging to a group called Horseracing Wrong . Although it is widely believed that the group’s call for the abolition of horse racing would not draw much support, it does not take away the fact that annually, quite a number of race horses die due to injuries suffered while at the hands of trainers.

This is to suggest that horse owners and racetrack operators as well as racing regulators should also devote attention to the methods and practices used by trainers, before putting the animals under great strain when preparing for racing events.

The Anthems of U.S. Anti-Racism Protests

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As the Black Lives Matter protests continue not only in the U.S. but in countries as well, creative chants and singing have kept kindred spirits united. According to Mark Anthony Neal, the Head of Duke University’s Department of African and African American Studies at Duke University,

”Protest movements look for anthems, particularly those that are sustained over a long period of time.”

Although top musicians have recently come out with anti-racist themed songs as show of support for the ongoing BLM demonstrations, rapper YG’s “F–ck the Police” (FTP) seemed to have made it as the official anthem of the movement. YG’s FTP lyrics convey the anger and frustration of the rallyists; including among white Americans who have taken their side in fighting against the systemic racism that has beset minorities for centuries.

To some though, YG’s FTP lyrics are too brazen as it does not take on the idea of tackling the issue of systemic racism with politeness: “Buy a Glock, break down the block;” — “let’s make ’em mad.” The concern here is that people spontaneously pour into streets daily, risking their lives to keep up the fight against brutal law enforcement actions, but without actually having a central figure acting as leader.

Yet the lack of a national leader could prove effective. Local BLM leaders have less difficulty in keeping the protest actions in their respective communities peaceful and protected against agitators.

Other FTP Anthems Revived by BLM Protesters

The FTP acronym also stands for two older protest movement songs.

One is “Fight the Power,” a classic soul written Ernie Isley and recorded by The Isley Brothers in 1975. It is more about keeping up the fight despite the forces and the pain.

The second Fight the Power protest song is by hip hop group Public Enemy, a power song released by Motown Record in 1989. The group was actually requested to compose a song for Spike Lee’s “Do the Right Thing” comedy-drama movie about racism, which was released in the same year.

However, the FTP version featured in Public Enemy’s 1990 studio album “Fear of a Black Planet,” was different in which lyrics center on how other members of the black community have for years, been trying to stay as uncomplaining as they can over issues of racial injustices.

”Yet our best trained, best educated, best equipped, best prepared troops refuse to fight”… “As a matter of fact, it’s safe to say that they would rather switch than fight”

Nonetheless, Public Enemy recently reemerged with a new single tiled as “State of the Union” (STFU), featuring GJ Lord and hypeman Flavor Flav. The STFU music video includes the footage showing how D.Chauvin of the Minneapolis force killed George Floyd in broad daylight and in front of many people.

Coachella Event Faces Calls for Shut Down

Sammie Seward Music Festivals , ,

A growing petition for cancellation of the 2020 Coachella Festival is casting uncertainty over the holding of one of California’s major events.

The petition, started by one Stella Young, appeared at change.org last Tuesday, and quickly received more than 4,000 signatures by Friday morning. As of Monday, March 09, 2020, the number of signatures signifying support for cancellation is already in the 13,000 mark.

In raising concerns that the Covid-19 outbreak has already hit California, Ms. Young’s call cited not only the extreme danger of attending a large music festival in which participants come from all over the world. Ms Young wrote:

“We are responsible to protect each and every community member, including the elderly, the fragile, or those who suffer from chronic diseases, immune system diseases, cancer, and other forms of disabilities.” “Their lives should not be down-played nor risked, since they have a higher chance of catching COVID-19.”

A Riverdale County Resident Returning from a Diamond Princess Cruise Tested as Covid-19 Positive

The Coachella Music Festival is slated to take place in April 11-13 and 17-19, 2020, but fears over coronavirus infection heightened as there are now 53 confirmed cases in California.

The tension rose further after reports came out that one of the passengers of the Diamond Princess cruise ship recently held at bay, is a Riverside Country resident. The resident, who is said to be confined at a North California medical facility has tested positive of the Covid-19 disease. Currently, the Riverdale County public health department has not reported any case that would indicate the virus has been transmitted locally.

Dr. Cameron Kaiser, Riverside County’s Health Officer said that they stand ready to make decisions in relation to the risks presented by the Coachella Festival to the public, However, Dr. Kaiser said he is not inclined to take a decision to cancel lightly, saying

“We would rather work with the organizers rather than impose cancellation on them.”

Coachella 2020 Plans Still Moving Forward

So far, there are no indications that a cancellation or a postponement is being considered by the festival promoter Goldenvoice or by parent company AEG. As it is, tickets to the festival have already been sold out, which gives rise to expectations that about 125,000 Coacehlla fans per day will attend the annual celebration. Tents are now being set up at the Empire Polo Club, in Coachella Valley at Riverdale County.

A national festival executive, not directly connected to the Coachella festival, aired his piece but spoke on conditions of anonymity. He said that unless the order to shut down comes from the government, plans for this year’s Coachella festival will still move forward.

Apparently, economic reasons are holding back Riverside County authorities from ordering the cancellation. Recent studies disclosed that the city of Indio, realizes as much as $3 million in revenues from the Coachella ticket sales alone. The report also states that tourism in the Greater Palm Springs area is a $7-billion industry, to which the Coachella Music Festival supports one (1) out of every four (4) jobs.

Nonetheless, Dr. Kaiser assures the public that if ever the coronavirus situation gets worse, they will arrive at a decision to cancel with as much lead time as possible to keep all Riverside County residents and festival attendants safe. At the same time, he also acknowledged that the Coachella Festival is a vital component of the region’s economy.

He added that measure must be taken to  ensure that if ever a cancellation is decided for this year, the annual event will still be able to take place in the coming years.

Scala Radio Study Finds Out Reasons Why Most Britons Listen to Music in the Workplace

Sammie Seward Music ,

A new study delving on why majority of employees in the UK listen to music while working, revealed different reasons. Commissioned by Scala Radio, the study conducted a survey on 2000 employees under different conditions, in a workplace environment or at home. The study also explored the types of music that British workers listened to in relation to their reasons.

More than half of the respondents to the survey said listening to music while working make them feel less stressed. Over a third of the 2,000 who responded to the polls also claimed that they get to accomplish more as they are motivated to work harder.

The Scala Radio study also revealed that more than a third listen to music while working, simply to block the noise produced by their co-workers. A tenth, of the workers polled, said they just wanted to avoid the sound of silence pervading in their work environment.

The Psychology Behind Listening to Music While Working

Dr Becky Spelman, a London-based professional psychologist attest that

“Truly, music has a powerful effect on the human brain, as it impacts not only mood but also physical and mental performance.

She added that many people say listening to specific types of instrumental music help them improve their productivity levels. Music to some, function as a form of white noise, allowing them to cancel ambient sound that can be potentially distracting.

If for purposes of stress relief, Dr. Spelman explained that music that carries on with a soothing, regular beat, can actually help listeners to stay calm. Mainly because it slows down and moderates the heart and pulse rates. Focusing on the work at hand becomes easier, when music averts a “flight or fight mode” situation, a natural tendency that could elevate the adrenaline and cortisol produced by the body.

2016 Research Shows that Increase in Productivity Level Depends on the Type of Music and Work Environment

The Scala Radio study has relevance to a 2016 research conducted by Dr. Theresa Lesiuk, an assistant professor at the Miami University for music therapy program.

According to Dr. Lesiuk, although music can have positive effects when working, some genres of music can adversely affect productivity. She cited several previous studies that indicate how listening to popular music interferes with reading comprehension, making it hard for the human brain to process information.

Based on those studies, Dr.Lesiuk said that although music can produce a positive effect when working, the productivity effect depends on the type of music and the workplace situation.

“‘Rainbow of Colors” : Neil Young Calls for Global Unity in the Face of Climate Change Threats

Sammie Seward Music , ,

Neil Young’s recently released single “‘Rainbow of Colors’ is a reflection of the Canadian singer-songwriter’s deep involvement in issues that currently beset the world. The new track is a included in Neil Young and his long-time backing band Crazy Horse’s forthcoming album “Colorado”, which is set for release on October 2019.

The Activist Singer-Songwriter Calls on the People to Unite vs. Climate Change

Young who has always been known as an activist musician, as he previously wrote songs expressing disapproval of America’s propensity to engage in wars. In fact, he once wrote a song titled “Let’s Impeach the President”, as his outright protest against former U.S. President George W. Bush, for leading the country into war.

In “‘Rainbow of Colors,’ Neil Young wants to remind everyone around the globe and not only in the U.S. that we are all connected. He aims to remind people that our planet is directly impacted by the effects of climate change; stressing that we must all act as one in order to survive the climate change crisis.

Young perceives that most of the world leaders are much too preoccupied with their political agenda, to not see how climate change has affected forests and trees. His “Rainbow of Colors” lyrics take a view that perhaps the occurrence of Climate Change serves as a unifying force that can stop us from turning against each other.

People of the world have been needing something to unify them for a long time, and in recognizing that we are all affected by climate change, we should focus more on helping our brothers and sisters.

“Colorado” the carrier album of Neil Young’s “‘Rainbow of Colors,’ is the first new album to be released after Young’s revival of the Crazy Horse band that last performed with him in the 2012 album “Psychedelic Pill.”

2019 Best Love Songs that Can Relate to Any Kind of Relationship

Sammie Seward Music

Love is real. It is compelling enough to connect people into entering a romantic relationship regardless of barriers.

Love songs can strengthen that bond, knowing you and your partner are not alone in experiencing the trials that so called odd-couples go through. They are just the same for romantic relationship involving opposite sexes, but sometimes more difficult if only a few understand the emotions and circumstances on which a different kind of love affair is founded.

Esquire whipped up a list of a dozen love songs that can touch the hearts of individuals engaged in any kind of relationship. We chose the top three, as they are excellent enough to serve as best examples of what love can be in any relationship.

“Just You and I” from Tom Walker

Cause my darling, you and I
Could take over the world
One step at a time
Just you and I (Just you and I)
‘Cause you’re the only one
Who brings light just like the sun
One step at a time
Just you and I

You can’t just give up on something just because of the bad times. Remember there is someone who has committed to stay by your side no matter what. That can very well be said of how you also intend to be toward your partner, when the situation gets reversed. “Just You and I” delivers the words of encouragements that two people need to hear when everything seems to go wrong.

Originally released as an accoustic music, Tom Walker’s new rendition is set to a good beat that can surely charge up a person’s resolve to overcome challenges and barriers.

‘The Bones” by Maren Morris

Maren Morris can really pack an album of powerful hits, even while singing a love song with bone rhetorics.

When the bones are good, the rest don’t matter
Yeah, the paint could peel, the glass could shatter
Let it rain ’cause you and I remain the same
When there ain’t a crack in the foundation

Keep that foundation strong just like your bones, because all other things that appear on the surface can easily get damaged by fears and doubts. As Morris sings about relationships, regardles of the kind you are in, the foundation that built the partnership will allow the two of you to stand firm on solid ground.

“Cuz I Love You” from Lizzo

Listen to Lizzo, who is all out with powerful emotions, singing about the things she does and will do for that special someone she loves. Maybe that is too much for some, but maybe just what love is all about, especially if it is a new relationship that you would like to last longer if not forever.

I thought that I didn’t care
I thought I was love-impaired
But baby, baby
I don’t know what I’m gonna do
I’m crying ’cause I love you, oh
Yes, you

Music Theory : Early Stages in the Development of Music Theories

Sammie Seward Music, Music Theory ,

It is widely believed that music first took form in rhythmic patterns of claps, along with beats and taps, presumably with the use of sticks or stones. Then there was shamanism, and various forms of ethnic religions. Their rituals devised methods of producing sounds by creating drums and rattles, as means of communicating with summoned spirits. Yet as the series of chants and incantations were developed to invoke mystical powers, there were no written forms or notations in place, to use as teaching or learning guides.

As music forms advanced in ancient Mesopotamian and Egyptian civilizations, several other musical instruments like sistras, lures, flutes, oboes, trumpets, harps and organs were invented. Archaeologists noted that during the 14th century BC in ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt, musical theory already existed by way of a heptatonic system. Heptatonic refers to a system of producing music using seven different pitches per octave.

Still, the development of classical music is attributed to the ancient Greek civilization, since the octave musical theory was formally established and developed in Greece in 600 BC.

Beginnings of Classical Music Transpired in Ancient Greece

There is strong evidence that classical music came about when renowned Greek mathematician Pythagoras, took to studying music as a science, to which he developed the octave as a foundation of music.

Although many scholars contend that the Mesopotamians and Egyptians were the first to produce music in different pitches, Pythagoras, thru his inquiries and observations made popular the notion that inherent ratios existed between pitches. He went on to establish the music theory that the length, size and or weight of a music-producing element was instrumental in creating a tone that is a pitch higher after a series of eight tones.

The scientific studies of music continued in Ancient Greece, with the likes of Pythagoras, Philodemus, Aristides and Aristoxenus contributing their musical theory about rhythm, harmonics and metre. Compilations of their musical theories went on to influence advancements in the development of music in ancient Rome, by the early Christian churches, and subsequently by medieval composers,

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